The Marco Rubio watch party was not exactly packed with rabid supporters. There were political tourists present, including one man who was a Christie supporter and told MSNBC he was just there to see the look on Rubio’s face.
But among Rubio voters was a lot of heartburn over New Hampshire primary winner Donald Trump and concern about last Saturday’s GOP debate, in which the junior senator from Florida repeated the same line about Obamacare four times — which led to the nickname “Robot Rubio.”
Kurt Wright, a Vermont state rep backing Rubio, said he feared the debate dragged down Rubio. “If it continues to stay muddled [after NH] it’s advantage Trump,” he said. “That’s what I’m concerned about.”
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Robert Ruben, a 62-year old Portsmouth resident who chose Rubio over Kasich this week, sounded stunned by Trump. “Democrats are beatable, but not by Trump, not by Cruz,” he said.
His wife, die-hard Rubio volunteer Anne Caplin, 60, predicted a “virtual landslide for Hillary” if Trump won. Bedford resident Anne Hammer, 44, said she voted for Rubio after seeing him in a town hall on Sunday where he put to rest her debate concerns. But she also saw Trump’s rally last night — and came away terrified. “I’ll be really happy if it’s Rubio” she said. “After last night, I’m frightened by Trump. I can’t stand Hillary, but if it’s Trump versus Clinton I don’t think I could vote.”
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